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THE SWISS CONFEDERATION A BRIEF GUIDE 2015 Cover For years, the Federal Palace has adorned the cover of this brochure. Now we would like to take a somewhat different look at Switzerland. For example, at the strikingly beautiful Tschingelsee in the Berner Oberland, one of the country’s 283 protected wetland areas. Wetlands are protected in Switzerland as the result of a decision by par- liament. Politics is not abstract: it deals with issues which affect us directly in all kinds of areas. Dear Reader In October a new parliament will be elected: elections to the National Council will be held and the majority of cantons will also select their members to the Council of States. In many coun­ tries, parliamentary elections present the only opportunity for the citizens to have a say in politics. Things are very different here. Swit­ zerland is the world champion in holding referendums. Over 30 per cent of all referendums held globally since the 18th century have been held in Switzerland. In no other country in the world is politics so intensively debat ed as it is here. Three to four times a year we vote on issues that have a direct impact on our lives; issues such as health policy, education, Switzerland’s relations with other countries or the future of energy. Nothing is taboo. We have even voted on abolishing the armed forces and whether or not Switzerland needs new fighter jets. The Swiss political system does not give us an easy ride – it is in­ tensive, demanding and requires endurance. Compromise is always necessary. All the regions, cultures, majorities and minori ties should be able to identify with political decisions. Involving everyone in this way is challenging and takes time. But it is also what brings politics to life and usually enables us to get the best outcome. The issues involved are often complicated and require explana­ tion. This is where this brief guide to the Swiss Confederation can help. It explains the workings of the state, the parliamentary system, the government and the administration. We update the text and images in the brochure each year, and so depict a fascinat ing model of democracy. I hope you enjoy reading this brochure! Federal Chancellor Corina Casanova 1 Contents Interview / Facts about Switzerland 4 Swiss democracy 12 Interview with President Switzerland’s federal structure 14 Simonetta Sommaruga 4 Direct democracy Population 8 at federal level 16 Finances 9 The four strongest political parties… 18 Milestones in Switzerland’s history 10 …as well as the seven other political parties in parliament 20 www.admin.ch there is a wealth of information about current federal policy, the Federal Council and Federal Administration. www.ch.ch provides a full range of information and services from the Confederation, cantons and communes. 2 Parliament 22 The Government 38 The Courts 74 National Council and Council of States 24 The Federal Council 40 The Federal Supreme Court and the Federal Courts of first instance 76 Majority system and proportional Organisation of the Federal representation 25 Administration 42 How parliament is organised 26 Federal Chancellery FCh 44 The large and small chambers 28 Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA 46 Parliamentary mechanisms 30 Federal Department Semi-professional parliament 31 of Home Affairs FDHA 50 Who goes in and out of Federal Department the Federal Palace 32 of Justice and Police FDJP 54 Parliamentary Services 33 Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport DDPS 58 How new laws come about 34 Federal Department of Finance FDF 62 The origins of the Federal Palace 36 Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER 66 Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications DETEC 70 3 INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT SIMONETTA SOMMARUGA President Simonetta Sommaruga in discussion with eight young people: Nina Ackermann, 1995, high school student from Lenzburg (AG) Sandra Siegenthaler, 1993, commercial employee / student from Herzogenbuchsee (BE) Joshua Auf der Maur, 1996, high school student from Wallbach (AG) Andri Silberschmidt, 1994, bank employee / student from Ottikon (ZH) Arianna Lanfranchi, 1997, high school student from Haldenstein (GR) Fiona Stiefel, 1989, primary school teacher from Dietikon (ZH) Simon Lengacher, 1993, student from Chur (GR) Barbara Vock, 1990, commercial employee / student from Bözen (AG) Barbara Vock: As a communal councillor I’m curious to understand how information flows in the Federal Council. With so many items of business to deal with at any one Fiona Stiefel: Madam President, why did cabinet meeting, are decisions ever taken Arianna Lanfranchi: As well as holding the you decide to go into politics? without actually knowing the full details? office of president this year, you also have At high school I was always an avid newspa­ No, because thanks to our clever system the difficult task in your role as justice per reader. I used to go straight to the we have time to prepare our positions on minister of implementing the mass politics section; the sports pages didn’t any controversial items. We receive the immigration initiative. How do you manage really interest me. Nowadays I’m also in­ agenda for the Federal Council meeting al­ to do this when the initiative is contrary to terested in the sports results, especially if most a week in advance. That way we can your own views? Federer and Wawrinka have won (they all see before the meeting what objections Both the Federal Council and parliament laugh). What really got me actively involved have been raised to the various proposals, recommended that the initiative be reject­ as a young woman was my voluntary and form an opinion. But all of us in the ed. But ultimately it is the voters’ say that work at a women’s refuge. I worked the Federal Council are open to persuasion if counts. The Federal Council’s task now is to night shift there for almost five years and sound arguments are presented. We are prepare a draft law for parliament, which saw women and children going through frequently able to win over a majority for implements the will of the people, and at extremely difficult situations. I realised that our own proposals. The discussions can the same time negotiate with the EU. We those situations were also a societal prob­ sometimes be forthright, but always remain know that it is not an easy task. We mustn’t lem. So my drive for going into politics came businesslike. The process of wres tling for a forget that good relations with our neigh­ from a desire for justice and to make things solution is all­important and takes place ac­ bours, and with the EU as a whole, are extre­ happen. ross party lines. mely important. 4 Political culture means that a majority respects the minority. Andri Silberschmidt: The public voted in favour of the mass immigration initiative despite the fact that the Federal Council in which the public can play a direct part, and the business community warned have its say on specific issues four times a against doing so. That would seem to show year and vote in elections every four years. a lack of trust in politics and business. That requires a certain proximity between What do you see as the cause? between voters and their political represen­ You raise an important point. As far as tatives. The fact that the public vote someti­ Sandra Siegenthaler: I’ve been able to vote business is concerned, the excesses of re­ mes goes against what the Federal Council for three years now. Sometimes though I cent years – in the form of exorbitant sal­ would like to see is nothing new. We have to just don’t know what the right decision is aries and bonus payments, for example be careful not to conjure up a divide where because I’m not familiar enough with the – alienated people. In terms of politics, I none exists. subject. I read the explanatory pamphlet, think it’s slightly different. I do occasion­ but it’s still difficult to decide what’s best. ally hear comments about the people in Barbara Vock: After our council meetings Our system is very demanding. You need Bern being far removed from people’s ev e­­- we often go for a drink. It’s important for to get to grips with the subject matter. I’m ryday concerns. But I don’t think that’s a team building. What does the Federal glad to hear that you read the pamphlet. A true reflection of our direct democracy. In Council do? further source of help could be the parties. Bern the public get to see members of the We usually have lunch together. There we You might not necessarily be a member, government walking around town. In the address each other by our first names. Dur­ but maybe you have certain sympathies. run up to popular votes the Federal Coun­ ing the meetings though we address each The media also play a key role in opinion ­ cil travels around the country dropping into other more formally to underline the fact forming. That’s why a free and varied media village pubs to give talks, answer questions that we are acting, and occasionally ar­ is so important. Voters are better able to and pose for selfies (they all laugh). What guing, in our respective roles and not on a form their own opinion if differing views are I mean by that is that we live in a system personal level. represented and discussed. 5 We live in a system in which the public can play a direct part. Nina Ackermann: Madam President, how do Simon Lengacher: My problem is usually you cope with all the dossiers that land on that there’s too much information.

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